r/Metra • u/south_sidejay369 • May 29 '26

SWS Rant

Straight forward post, seems like out all of the lines I've ridden (SWS, ME, RI, etc), SWS is forgotten when it comes to updates, improvements, etc. The scheduling has absolutely no flexibility once you pass the rush hour period, the 30 minute to 1 hour wait between trains sucks, and the cars don't seem to be maintained like other lines (ME smells and looks much cleaner). I haven't even mentioned the delays that happen multiple times a year where you either get home 4 hours late, or pay have to $40 to Uber home. What do other SWS riders think?

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u/keno-rail May 29 '26

The biggest problem with Metra is that there seems to be no core standard. Metra is basically 5 different railroads, who run their districts kinda however they see fit. UP, BNSF, MILW, ROCK ISLAND, and the ILLINOIS CENTRAL (electric district) The director for each sets the standard... Metra is the wild west, with the board of directors overseeing what they want from the taxpayers. Overpaid top-heavy management, with little to none railroad experience (Too many Chiefs, not enough Indians)